Rahul Gandhi criticizes India-US trade deal in Lok Sabha

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi delivered a fiery speech in the Lok Sabha on February 11, 2026, vehemently criticizing the interim trade agreement between India and the United States. Gandhi accused the government of a "wholesale surrender" and "selling Bharat Mata" through this deal, alleging that it compromised India's energy security, the interests of its farmers, the textile sector, and crucial data. He claimed that the agreement was one-sided and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to it under duress, suggesting a "chokehold" from the US. Gandhi further alleged that the deal would lead to the flooding of Indian markets with US agricultural products, harming domestic producers, and that control over digital trade rules had been ceded, with no data localization requirements and free data flow to the US, alongside a 20-year tax holiday for big tech companies. He also stated that the agreement dictated India's oil purchases, compromising its energy security. The government, represented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, strongly rebutted Gandhi's claims. Sitharaman declared that "no one has the audacity to sell or buy out India" and accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of surrendering farmers' and the poor's interests to the World Trade Organization. Rijiju characterized Gandhi's speech as "full of lies" and stated that the ruling alliance would seek to expunge these remarks from the parliamentary records. He also challenged Gandhi to authenticate his allegations, emphasizing their serious connotations. Rijiju further highlighted India's economic progress, noting its rise from the "fragile five" to the fourth-largest economy. The interim trade agreement itself, announced on February 6, 2026, outlines a framework for reciprocal trade between India and the US, aimed at reducing tariffs and fostering greater market access. Key terms include India's elimination or reduction of tariffs on US industrial goods and a range of agricultural products, while the US reduces reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods, including textiles, apparel, and machinery, to 18%. The agreement also addresses non-tariff barriers and aims to enhance cooperation in technology and supply chains. India's Commerce Secretary, Rajesh Agrawal, expressed optimism that the legal agreement would be finalized by the end of March 2026, emphasizing that sensitive sectors like dairy and agriculture were protected and that the deal was beneficial for India's exports. However, concerns have been raised by some stakeholders about potential impacts on domestic industries, particularly in agriculture and textiles, due to increased US imports. The White House also revised its fact sheet on the deal, softening language on certain agricultural products like pulses and digital trade commitments, indicating ongoing nuances and discussions surrounding the agreement. The political discourse surrounding the trade deal underscores the deep divisions in India's parliamentary debates, with opposition parties often employing strong rhetoric to challenge government policies. Rahul Gandhi's use of the phrase "sold Bharat Mata" has drawn particular attention, and while he has used strong language in parliamentary debates before, the government's firm denial and calls for authentication highlight the contentious nature of the proceedings. The exchange represents a broader pattern of political confrontation in India, where trade agreements and economic policies are often subjected to intense scrutiny and partisan debate.

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